Response of auxin on semi hardwood cuttings of Jatropha curcas under central western Himalayas, India.

Jatropha curcas, commercially important tree species used to produce biofuels, is known for its multipurpose benefits and its role in agro forestry. Present study examines the amenability of auxin on semi hardwood cuttings of J. curcas strain DARL-2 with Indole-3-acetic acid and Indole-3- butyric acid (100ppm, 200ppm and 300ppm). The exogenous plant hormones particularly IBA at 200ppm significantly affected the semi hardwood cuttings of Jatropha, particularly in early emergence of shoots (25.92 days), shoots (5.58), shoot length (10.57cm) and leaves (38.95) per cutting, sprouting (81.10%) and rooting 49.83 per cent recorded in the study. Thus, J. curcas semi hardwood cuttings treated with IBA 200ppm could be used for the mass propagation under central western Himalayas of Uttarakhand, India.